Electric switch



Nov. 18, 1930. w. c. STEVENS ET AL ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed July 25, 1929 [AVENTORS Q.

A TTORNE Y Patented Nov. 18, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM C. STEVENS AND GEORGE J. MEUEB, F MIBWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIG-NORS TO CUTLER-HAMMER, INQ, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE ELECTRIC swrrcn Application filed July 25, 1929. Serial No. 380,905.

This invention relates to improvements in electric switches, and more particularly to snap switches of the multiple circuit controlling type.

An object of the invention is to provide an extremely simple and compact snap switch mechanism of the aforementioned character.

Another object is to provide a snap switch mechanism whereby any one of a plurality of electric circuits may be completed selecother forms within the scope of the appended claims. I

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembled switch and face plate constructed in accordance with our invention.

Figs. 2 and 4 are side elevational views of the switch showing the parts in certain of their operative positions, the housing being shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing the switch parts in intermediate or off position.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the switch base with the terminal plates secured thereto.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the switch with the housing removed, the operating lever and face plate being shown in separated relation.

Fig. 7 is an end view of the switch, the

housing being shown in section.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of oneof the movable contactors and the insulating carrier therefor, and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the IGCIPIO- eating actuating member of the switch.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral designates the switch base which prefertacts of the switch. Each of said pins is preferably provided with an enlargement or shoulder which bears against the upper surface of the base (see Fig. 3), and each is also provided with a reduced portion or shank 21 which penetrates corresponding openings in the base and in one of the respective terminal plates 22, 23 or 24c,said reduced portions 21 being then riveted over the terminal plates, as indicated at 25, whereby the aforementioned parts are secured in assembled relation to each other.

As shown the terminal plate 24 is of sufficient length to provide for connection of two contact pins 17 19 thereto. the terminal plate 24 is common to one contact pin of each set whereby the so-called three-point circuit connections may be effected. Obviously, however, the contact pins 17, 19 might be provided with individual terminal plates if desired. The terminal plates are provided with the usual binding screws 26,-base 15 being provided with perforations 27 to accommodate the shanks of such reduced width, and each of they sides thereof is provided with angular edges 34 and 35 which converge from the respective arms toward an intermediate proj ecting edge portion 36, said edges being adapted to provide clearance for the contactor elements of the switch mechanism, as hereinafter described.

In other words,

' flat bottom edge, as best illustrated in Fig. 6.

' The top side 37 of the frame is provided with a relatively large intermediate perforation 38, and extending downwardly there from on opposite sides of the frame are a pair of alined bearing notches 39 and 40, said notches preferably having outwardly curved or divergent side edges and a substantially Slightly spaced from opposite ends of perforation 38 are relatively smaller perfora tions or openings 41 and 42 to provide for downward bending of the intermediate portions 43 and 44 of the frame to providefor proper attachment of the upper terminal loops of a pair of tension springs 45 and 46 respectively. Top side 37 of the frame is further provided with a pair of tapped openings 47' and 48 to receive the attaching screws 49 and 50 whereby the flat faceplate 51 is secured to the frame.

As shown the face plate 51 is provided with I a circular opening 52 to accommodate the hemispherical enlargement 53 of the operating handle 54. Either integral with or rigidlysecured to handle 54 below the enlargement 53 are a pair of flat journal portions or pro jections 55 which fit within the aforementioned notches 39 and 40 and are retained therein by the overlying portions of the face plate. Handle 54 is further provided with a pin or projection 56 which is adapted to en gage a depression or cup 57 in the bottom wall 58 of a channel-shaped actuating member, shown in detail in Fig. 9, to effect reciprocation of'the latter .upon oscillation of-the handle.

Said reciprocating actuating member is somewhat shorter than the frame and the same is adapted to slide within the upper portion of the latter. The upper edges of the parallel sides of the actuating member are cut away or notched, as shown at 59 and 60 to clear the journal portions 55 of the handle.

' The bottom wall 58 of the actuating member is provided with relatively large perforations or openings 61 and 62 to provide clearance for the coiled springs 45 and 46 aforementioned. Opening toward said perforations 61 and 62 are pairs of alined substantially V- shaped notches 63, 64, within which the stepped or shouldered portions 65 of a pair of substantially U-shaped punched insulatinsulating ing plates 66 and 67 are respectively adapted to bear,the upper end portions 68 of said lates being adapted to embrace the side wa ls of the actuating memberto prevent endwise or lateral movement of the former with respect to the latter.

The lower terminal loops of springs 45 and 46 are hooked into perforations 66 67 of the plates 66, 67, said springs being normally undersufiicient tension to individually bias said plates into pivotal engagement with the notches 63, 64, respectively; whereas said springs likewise act jointly, through the mecured to one side of the respective plates,

as by means'of rivets 71 and said plates are provided with cut-away portions, as indicated at 72 in Fig. 8, to accommodate the reflexed portions of said contactors. The ends 73 of said reflexed portions are flared apart slightly to provide for proper engagement thereof with the contact pins.

As will be apparent, each set of contact pins acts to limit movement of one of the contactors in a given direction; whereas movement of each of said contactors in an opposite direction is limited by engagement of its respective carrying plate 66 or 67 with abutments or projections 74 on the arms of the switch frame. Said abutments also act in conjunction with the reciprocating actuating member to positively initiate movement of the contactors from their off to their on positions.- Referring more particularly to Fig. 3, it will be noted that each of the contactors is out of engagement with its respective set of contact pins,'and the arrangement is such that the parts will be positively retained in the positions thereof as shown pending sliding movement of the actuating member in one direction or the other through the medium of handle 54. Thus during upward movement of handle 54 to the position shown in Fig. 2, it will be seen that the notches 64 of the actuating member are moved downwardly until the same are past the dead center of spring 46 whereupon the latter will snap the contactor carried by plate 67 into bridging engagement with the set of contact pins 18, 19 to complete the circuit which Further downward movement of handle 54" to the position illustrated in Fig. 4 causes movement of the notches 63 to a point above the dead center of spring 45 with resultantsnap movement of thecontactor carried by plate 66 into bridging engagement with the contact pins 16, 17; the abutment 74 acting strip of fibrous material of the required width and bent to the desired shape.

The manner of assembling the various parts of the switch mechanism will be apparent from the foregoing description. 7

The face plate '(as shown in Fig. 1).may be provided with suitable legends which co-' operate with the handle to indicate the condition of the circuits to be controlled by the switch'mechanism and to facilitate proper selection of such circuit conditions.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a multiple circuit controlling switch,

in combination, an insulating base, a plurality of sets of fixed contacts carried by said base, a plurality of oscillatable bridging contactorseach adapted for'movement into and out of engagement with one of said sets of contacts respectively, common actuating means for said contactors, said means commovement, thereof from one extreme position to the other to effect disengagement of one of said 'contactors and subsequent engagement of another of said contactors, said member being also adapted upon movement thereof to an intermediate position to effect disengagement of'all of said contactors, and spring means for effecting such movements of said contactors with a snap action.

2. In a multiple circuit controlling switch, in combination, an insulating base, two sets of fixed contacts carried by said base, a pair of oscillatable bridging contactors each adapted for movement into and out of engagement with one of said sets of contacts respectively, common actuating means for said contactors, said means comprising a reciprocating member adapted upon movement thereof from each extreme position to the other to first effect disengagement of one of said contactors and to thereafter eli'ect engagement of the other of said contactors, said member being also adapted upon movement thereof to an intermediate position to effect disengagement of both of said contactors, spring means for effecting such movements of said contactors with a snap action, and means comprising an oscillating lever for effecting such movements of said reciprocating actuating member.

3. In arr-electric snap switch, combina-- tion, an insulating base, a plurality of sets of stationary contacts secured to said base,-

a metallic frame secured to said base, a reciprocating actuating member slidably engaging said frame, a plurality of contact members loosely pivot-ally engaging said actuating member and bodily movable with the latter, spring means for retaining said actuating member in slidable engagement with said frame and for retaining said contact members in pivotal engagement with said actuating member, and means for efiecting operation of said actuating member.

4. In an electric snap switch, in combination,'an-insulating base, a plurality of sets of stationary contacts secured to said base, an inverted substantially U-shaped metallic frame secured to said base, a reciprocating actuating member slidably engaging said frame, said actuating member having a plurality of spaced pairs of notches therein, a plurality of contact members having pivotal engagement with said pairs of notches respectively, a plurality of tension springs each having one end thereof connected to one of said contact members and the other end connected to said frame, said springs acting jointly to retain said actuating member in slidable engagement with said frame and'individually to retain said contact members in pivotal engagement with said actuating member, and means comprising a pivoted lever for V effecting operation of said actuating member. prising a reciprocating member adapted upon ,5. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a metallic frame, an actuating member slidable on said frame, said actuating member having a pair of oppositely arranged bearing notches, an insulating member of substantially U-shape having end portions adapted to embrace said actuating member and having stepped shoulders adapted to fit within said bearing notches, a tension spring having one end attached to said frame and the other end attached to said insulating member, a bridging contactor rigidly secured to the free end of said insulating member, and a plurality of stationary contacts adapt ed for cooperation with said contactor, said spring being adapted to efiect snap movements of said contactor uponmovement of said actuating member in opposite directions respectively.

6. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a'metallic frame ofsubstantially U shape in cross section, an actuating member of substantially channel shape slidable within said frame, said member having a perforation in itsbottom wall and alined substantially V-shaped bearing notches formed in the sides thereof, a punched plate of insulation of substantially U-shape, said plate having end portions adapted to embrace said actuating member and having stepped shoulders adapted to pivotally engage said bearing notches, a tension spring interposed be tween said frame and said insulating late and provided withcl'ejarance by said per oration, a substantially Wfshaped resilient con- 5 tactor secured toth'e' free end of said insulating plate, a plurality of fixed contact pins adapted for cooperation with said contactor, said spring being adapted to effect snap movements of said contactor into and out of engagement with said contact pins upon movement of said actuating member in opposite directions respectively, and means comprising an oscillating lever for effecting such movement at said actuating member.

7. In an electric snap switch, in Combination, a metallic frame of substantially U- shape in cross section, an actuating member of substantially channel shape slidable within said frame, said member having a perforation in its bottom wall and alined substantially V-shaped bearing notches formed in the sides thereof, a punched plate of insulation of substantially. U-shape, said plate having end portions adapted to embrace said actuating member and having stepped-shoulders adapted to pivotallyengage said hearing notches, a tension spring interposed between said frame and said insulating plate and provided with clearance by said perforation, a substantially W-shaped resilient contactor secured to the free end of'said insulating plate, a plurality of fixed contact pins adapted for cooperation with said contactor, said spring being adapted to eitect snap movements of said contactor into and out of engagement with said contact pins upon movement of said actuating member in opposite directions respectively, and means comprising abutments on said frame to be engaged by said insulating plate for positively initiating movement of said contactor in one direction upon opposite movement of said actuating member.

8. An electric switch comprising a one piece metallic frame having spaced sides and an upper end portion connecting said sides, said end portion having a relatively large intermediate perforation and said sides having relatively wide bearing notches opening to said perforation, said notches having arouate side walls, an oscillating actuating lever having flat journal portions engaging said notches, a face plate secured to said frame and adapted to retain said journal portions within said notches, and a switch mechanism operable by said actuating lever.

9. In an electric snap switch, in combination, an insulating base. two setsfof stationary contacts arranged in spaced relation to each other near the center of said base, a metallic frame, an actuating member slidably engaging said frame, said actuating member having two sets of notches, a pair of substantially U-shaped insulating mem bers the arms of which pivotally engage said setsof notches respectively, spring means interposed between said insulating members and said frame, and bridging contactors carried by said insulating members respectively, said contactors being movable to given extreme positions sequentially upon movement of said actuating member from one extreme position to another.

10. In an electric snap switch, in combination, an insulating base, two sets of stationary contacts arranged in spaced relation to each other near "the center of said base, a metalliclframe, an actuating member slidably engaging said frame, said actuating member havingtwo sets of notches, a pair of substantially U-shaped insulating members the arms of which pivotally engage saidsets of notches respectively, spring means interposed between said insulating members and said frame. and bridging contactors carried by said insulating members respectively, said actuating member having an intermediate position wherein said bridging contactors are disengaged from said stationary contacts and said actuating member being movable in opposite directions from said intermediate position to selectively effect engagement of said contactors with said sets of contacts respectively.

11. In an electric switch, in combination, a flat punched base of insulating material, a plurality of sets of contact pins extending upwardly from said base at right angles thereto, terminal plates on the under side of said base, said contact pins having reduced portions penetrating said base and said terminal plates and riveted over the latter, whereby said parts are secured together, certain of said terminal plates having a plurality of said contact pins secured thereto. and means comprising a plurality of resilient bridglng contactors adapted to engage said sets of contact pins selectively.

12. In an electric switch, in combination, a flat punched base of insulating material,

a plurality of sets of contact pins extending upwardly from said base at right angles thereto, terminal plates on the under side of said base, said contact pins having reduced portions penetrating said base and said terminal plates and riveted over the latter whereby said parts are secured together, certain of said terminal plates having a plurality of said contact pins secured thereto, a plurality of resilient bridging contactors, and comlnon operating means for selectively effecting engagement of any one of said con tactors with its cooperating contact pins or for alternatively effecting disengagement of all of said contactors. Y

In witness whereof.

scribed our names.

lVILLIAM C. STEVENS. GEORGE J. MEUER.

we have hereunto sub- 

